Customer Reviews

Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 6 & 10 (Mravinsky Edition, Vol. 9)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An excellent performance of two of DSCH's greatest symphonies.You won't find a better interpretation of these works for [such a price]. Mravinsky was one of Shostakovich's best friends, and he always made sure that the DSCH's symphonies were performed exactly the way composer wanted them to be played. The recording itself isn't an engineer's choice, but it adds a great effect. It adds more turmoil to the 6th; in the 10th you can hear the echo of the auditorium which gives a feeling of loneliness, I think. Overall, the performance blew me away.

Yevgeny (or "Evgeny") Mravinsky recorded Shostakovich's 10th symphony twice in March 1976, both - of course - live, with the Leningrad Philharmonic. One case is the current performance given in March 31, 1976, caught in mono. The other is the Erato disc (Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10), with a live performance recorded in the 3rd of March, which is in stereo. The venue in both cases was Grand Hall of Leningrad Philharmonic, but the recording engineers were different.

The reputation of the current recording is mixed, and the main focus is usually the sound issue. The technical recording equipment seems to be in error here and there, and the monaural sound could perhaps have been better. In contrast to the slightly earlier performance on the Erato recording, however, the playing in March 31 is somewhat more coordinated. Otherwise the performances are almost identical, even if the version here sounds weightier and more impressive.

What counts in favour of this later version is also the coupling, which is an outstanding performance of Shostakovich's 6th symphony (stereo, 1965). But that work is of course not the main attraction here.

Listening to Mravinsky's sublime understanding of Shostakovich 10th makes you forget all other interpretations of this work, regardless of sound qualities.

Unbelievable live-performance and a must have for the Shostakovich-fan. The soundquality is not great, but like all Mravinskies, you quickly forget this while listening. I'm waiting for the Russian files to open, because there should be more performances with an equally impressive interpretation.

The good news about this CD is that it captures a great live performance by the Leningrad Philharmonic of these two Shostakovich classics. Mravinksy was a contemporary of Shostakovich who completely understood these works. Unfortunately, they appeared to have been recorded during the height of Moscow's flu season. The quiter passages, particularly during the 6th Symphony, are frequently peppered with sneezes, coughs, wheezes and other indicia of declining health. I found these background noises completely disconcerting.

As my title would suggest, I am in love with Shostakovich. He is my favorite composer and Yevgeny Mravinsky the longtime solitary eagle director of the LPO is arguably one of the finest Shostakovich interpreters. These performances are sublime. The 6th especially has a tension that had me and still has me on edge whenever I listen to it. I would argue this to be especially true in the 1st movement adagio. It is an underrated performance I am sure given the more popular choices out there - Haitink and Bernstein to name a couple. Perhaps this is even overshaddowed buy the recent Barshai cycle. But, it really is deserving of a good listen.

On to the 10th. With so many wonderful performances...good lord...Jarvi, Previn, Haitink, von Karajan ( both is '66 and his '82) and the classics by Anceral and Mitropolous..its hard to choose. This performance would be outstanding if it wasnt for the poor recording conditions that existed in the Soviet Union at the time. Just think if DG or another reputable label would have been allowed to record there how great of documents Mravinsky could have left. The most disappointing blunder is in the development and climax section of the first movement where the engineers actually turn down their mics and back off of the performance to an almost inaudible level. Mircophone placement and balance in this particular live recording are wretched. Even the soviet brass which are known to be brash (a characteristic i really like actually) are muddy and sound awful, like honking geese in the same climax in the first movement. Percussion is too heavy and bass-like as well.

IN summary - a beautiful 6th from 1972...its recorded gorgeously. The 1976 10th is disappointing in the 1st movement especially, but it does recover nicely. Only a true Mravinsky devotee would own this cd.